Last week I spent a little time with my mom. It’s been kind of a rough summer for her and I hate that.
In July we helped her move from her house in the retirement community to a two bedroom apartment in “The Big House”. The move went well and I was able to be there for a week to help get her settled.
In August she gave us a bit of a scare when she ended up in the hospital. The diagnosis came back that she has some pesky ulcers that were bleeding and causing issues. A brief hospital stay and she came back home and again I was able to spend some time with her. I am so grateful that I am able to go when she needs me.
The problem is that this latest issue has delayed a much needed look at surgery to help with her mobility. Her osteoarthritis has caused a lot of issues and she has pain most of the time. But until she gets her hemoglobin levels up and is stronger she is at risk for any kind of surgery so we wait.
And wait.
And wait.
Waiting is not an easy thing when you are almost 87 years old and thought that a move to an apartment would make your life better. Right now she feels a bit disappointed and sad so I decided to take her to a park to give her a bit of a change of scenery.
It always makes me feel so much better when I get outside and enjoy some of God’s creation. I thought it might help her as well.
So off we set to Silver Park in Alliance where we found a bench and a whole lot of ducks.
It did the trick and I think we both really enjoyed the time outside.
Sometimes a change of scenery is just what the doctor orders.
On the way home we stopped to check out the hay bale creations at Brunners Farm Market between Alliance and Sebring. How cute are these?
I did not take away her pain or solve any world problems but for a short time we focused on something other than doctors and not feeling good and that was a good thing.
I cherish the time with my mom and am so blessed that I am still able to spend time with her. And for that I am very thankful.
Another update on our sweet Carlton as well. He moved to a new facility this past weekend in Ada. He is now in the same town as Chris’s sister and visiting will be so much easier for everyone. We are praying for a smooth transition and quick adjustment. We are so thankful that he got accepted into this brand new facility.
Tell me — what are you thankful today?
22 Comments
Leave a commentA walk. A change of scenery. I do think it is the best thing for what ails you. Looks like you and your Mom had a lovely time together. Your Mom looks very calm and smiley sitting on the bench. The hay bales are FUN.
I wake up every morning and yell….I love my life. And I really do. It is a wild ride but I am grateful to be on it.
Go Carlton!
Happy Monday!
I am thankful for people like you who add to the positivity in the world. On Monday’s I do a Thankfulness Challenge. Why don’t you join me? P.S – the bale hay creations are adorable.
Those hay bales are hilarious. I wonder what my dad would have thought of them. It is so good to get seniors outside once in awhile. I take mom out in her wheelchair when I visit her and I know many others do as well. She is your mom´s age but completely immobile due to a broken hip 5 years ago. We are blessed to still have her with us. Sending prayers that your mom will soon be feeling better and that the pain will ease. Great news about Carlton and his new place.
How wonderful to get outside with your mom. My mom would have been 87 this year too!
Can you pm Carlton s new address? I’d like to send him a card to celebrate his new home.
Oh, I love this! What a great idea to take your mom out for some “nature time”. Can anyone look at ducks (or listen to them?) without smiling?!
Whenever I see hay bales lined up, I’m reminded of how Marshall and I called long rows of them “worms” when he was a little boy. I think our “worms” were actually rolled up peanut vines, but basically the same thing. Someone was very creative painting the ones in your post!
Sounds like a wonderful visit with your Mom. Brought back memories of being with my Mom during her illness – it was a bittersweet time. Glad you had some “quality” time with her and so happy Carlton will be situated closer to your sis-in-law!
I, too, am thankful for a day spent with my mom on Saturday. We took her out for lunch at a winery and then on a drive through the countryside to view the crops. She repeated several times how good it was to go for a drive and to get out.
Even though it’s difficult for her to get in and out of a vehicle, she managed with Randy’s help. It was worth all the effort to see her so happy.
I’m glad you could do the same for your sweet mom. Good to hear about Carlton’s move closer to family.
What a wonderful roadtrip with your mom! Not only are you lifting her spirits, but you’re making memories! I’m thankful for the sun and glorious perfect fall weather we are having!
Thankful for the sunshine today and my students smiling faces.
Yes, we need Carlton’s new address so we can keep the cards and letters flowing.
Keeping your mom in prayer.
Juju
How nice to take your Mother out for a change of scenery. I used to take my Mother for rides and we both enjoyed that time.
I am thankful for the rain we have today in Northern Ca.
Waiting is excruciating hard to endure at any age but I can imagine with poor health it would make it harder.
Thank you for sharing; I feel like I went along with you.
Thankful for people willing to share a pet of their lives with me.
Thanks, Marie, for stopping by . Waiting is tough at times but we all have times when we need to just wait. Hope today finds you well!
I’m so sorry to hear of your mother’s troubles and so glad you have each other, Having pain all the time is so wearing on the body and soul. What a lovely outing you both had. Those hay bales are Awesome!!! 😉 So glad you found a new place for Carlton. I have two boys on the spectrum, who have just transitioned into adult hood. These are the challenges they will be facing in times to come. So positivity, diligence and perseverance is the motto.
Thanks for sharing all that you do 😉
Kim, thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I can imagine that your motto is what will get you through the times with your two boys. It isn’t easy and so many people just “don’t get it” but with a loving mom like you I am sure they are doing just fine. Positivity is key!
Best wishes and prayers for all involved. It is not an easy task accepting the changes that life springs on us all. But we must be aware that with every change comes opportunity. God bless you all!
Thank you so much, Jake. We are all trying to do what we can to make things easier for her while allowing her as much independence as possible. That is a tough thing sometimes. I want to just make everything perfect for her and sometimes she just needs to do things herself, you know? It is a balancing act but we are blessed.
Not sure if I’ve ever mentioned it, but I’m thankful for ducks! Maryland has a lot of parks that feature water and waterfowl. While my husband (thought he) was healthy we spent a lot of time walking in those parks, beginning to recognize individual birds. While he was ill but still able to get out, we revisited those parks. After he was gone, revisiting the parks and the birds seemed to help me cope.
Aw. I can understand what the ducks must mean to you as well. The visits to the park and seeing the birds must be a bit bittersweet but remind you of times with your beloved which has to make your heart smile. Thinking of you.
What a great idea for those hay bales!! Love the Minions. ha.
And what a lovely thing to do for your mom! My mother also has bleeding ulcers and she has to keep a very very close eye on her iron levels and her hemoglobin. She ended up in the hospital twice when they dropped far too low. But now we do weekly walks at our nature park too and it definitely lifts the spirits. 🙂
The low hemoglobin seems to be a thing with older ladies and I am hoping that we can get it all boosted up so she can at least talk to the doc about surgery on her hip. Until then we will do what we can do!
I’m thankful that with how little our internet has been working, I’m grateful, that when it does however brief, there you are, finding the positive vibes in life and laying ’em out for the rest o’ us! Thank you!
Aren’t you the sweetest! I am grateful your internet is working even if it is sporadic. I don’t know what I did before internet. Hope life gets back to normal for you soon!